BlackH2O
 

Vote for the new Blackwater logo here:

http://blog.wired.com/defense/2007/1...ater-logo.html

My fave:

http://blog.wired.com/photos/uncateg...lackwater3.jpg

BlackH2O
 

Interesting definition: The rest of the article is pretty cool.

Disclaimer: I like China Mieville's books quite a bit. And he's written quite a bit about "libertarian" floating shelters.

• People under the age of 35, maybe even 40, probably don't remember the Aldo Moro crisis. Aldo Moro was a several-times prime minister of Italy who was kidnapped and held hostage by terrorists in 1978. After about 50 days, in which the terrorists alternately interrogated Moro and let him write letters to the outside world begging for his life, he was murdered. Maybe "several-times prime minister" doesn't do his stature justice -- imagine, G-d forbid, that something similar happened to, oh, Bob Dole or Dick Gephardt. An important politician widely recognized as a national leader, taken by terrorists making outrageous demands who could kill him at any moment. Short of an actual nuclear bomb, that's one of the worst things imaginable in a democracy.
  
  At one point in the crisis, General Dalla Chiesa, the head of the team trying to unravel the kidnapping, was asked permission to torture a Red Brigades sympathizer who was in jail, for information that might free Moro. His response? "Italy can survive the loss of Aldo Moro. It would not survive the introduction of torture."

link

Given the relative stability of Italian politics, that's a really good quote that's crushed by its context.

Ty's lack of perspective or actual knowledge is not a fair grounds of response here.

I would just say that the General's response was most likely intended to cover up the fact that the government torture department was on strike.

Ladies and gentlemen: The worst mayor in America. It would be funny if it weren't true.

Please. Read about Kwame Kilpatrick. Is Marion Barry still mayor.

Did you read it?

Link, please, and I will.

No. And this guy sounds worse.

asked and answered.



kwame would be on the other side of most of those doors.

Implicitly, at best, and only with this post.

I'd nominate the missing mayor of Atlantic City, but they apparently found him and he resigned shortly thereafter.

No, it's equally funny when it's true. Perhaps more so. Trust me when I pronounce the Atticus Grinch Laws of Representative Politicodynamics:*

Rule 1: Government officials you get = government officials you deserve.

Rule 2: There is no Rule 2.


*On the national scale, these are also known as Grinch's Laws of Conservation of Jomentum.

I just learned of some terrible news from Africa. how come no one is talking about this?

• HUMBLY SEEKING FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE PLEASE
  ATTN: Friend,
  My name is as above stated, the wife of Mr. Daniel Khumalo from the
  republic of Zimbabwe. It might be a surprise to you where i got your
  contact address. I got your contact from the South Africa Chamber of
  Commerce in Johannesburg. During the current war against the farmers in
  Zimbabwe from the supporters of our President Robert Mugabe, in his
  effort to chase all the white farmers out of the country, he ordered all the
  white
  farmers to surrender their farms to his party members and his followers.My
  husband, was one of the best and successful farmers in our country and
  formerly the Finance Minister of Robert Mugabe administration, but he
  did not support the idea of dispossessing the white farmers of their land.
  Because of this, his farm was invaded and burnt by government
  supporters.In the course of this shock, my husband died, and the invaders made
  away with a lot of items from my husband’s farm.And our family house was
  utterly destroyed. My husband died out of heart attack. He drew my
  attention to the sum of US$15.5 MILLION, Which he deposited with a security
  company in South Africa during his tenure as the Finance Minister of Zimbabwe.
  My son and I decided to move out of Zimbabwe for our own security,
  because our lives were in danger. We decided to move to the Republic of South
  Africa where my husband deposited this money. Till date, the security
  company is not aware of the content of the consignment because my
  husband used his diplomatic immunity as at that time to deposit the consignment
  as important personal valuables.
  I decided to have contact with overseas person/firm who will assist me
  to move the money out of South Africa. This becomes necessary because as
  political asylum seekers, we are not allowed to own or operate a bank
  account. I want you to immediately confirm your interest in the project
  through my son JAMES KHUMALO on +27-73 99 76551 or email-
  mrskhumalo1@myway.com
  As soon as I get your response, I will give you more details on how we
  can proceed. Thanks and God bless you for your anticipated cooperation. Urgent
  response waited.
  Best regards,
  
  Mrs.Khumalo